US Bridges

County Route 31/4 over North Fork Hughes River

Fair

Ritchie County, West Virginia · 0.01 Mile West of Wv 31 · Structure no. 00000000043A152

Built
1937
88 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
128 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 31/4 over North Fork Hughes River is a steel truss - thru carrying County Route 31/4 over North Fork Hughes River in Ritchie County, West Virginia. It was built in 1937, so it is 88 years old, older than the West Virginia average of 44.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 20 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 30 by 2042. The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long and 16 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Route 31/4
CrossesNorth Fork Hughes River
Location0.01 Mile West of Wv 31
RouteCounty Highway 314
CountyRitchie County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.2086, -81.15742
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating53 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length128 ft (39 m)
Longest span124 ft (37.9 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2022)
Projected traffic30 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$1.3 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 31/4 over North Fork Hughes River built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 31/4 over North Fork Hughes River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in August 2024.

How much traffic does County Route 31/4 over North Fork Hughes River carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is County Route 31/4 over North Fork Hughes River?

The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long with a longest span of 124 ft (37.9 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 31/4 over North Fork Hughes River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.